Watch the segments from 36:50 to 50:15 for key insights from Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı.
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı Highlights Türkiye’s Strategic Role in BRICS and Global Power Dynamics
On October 23, 2024, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı, co-founder of the Ankara Global Advisory Group, participated in Bloomberg HT’s 60 Dakika program hosted by Zeynep Özyol to discuss the recent BRICS Summit in Russia and its implications for Türkiye and the broader global power landscape. Prof. Bağcı shared insights on Türkiye's evolving place within BRICS, the strategic possibilities of Türkiye’s role, and how shifting alliances in global south nations could impactTürkiye's geopolitical and economic ambitions.
Key Insights from Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı
Türkiye’s BRICS Membership Prospects: Prof. Bağcı highlighted Türkiye’s current momentum toward BRICS membership, noting strong support from Russia and hopeful comments from President Putin. Although formal acceptance has yet to be confirmed, Bağcı emphasized that BRICS provides Türkiye an essential economic platform without any military alignment, enabling Türkiye to diversify its strategic partnerships outside of NATO and the EU.
Avoiding Historical Diplomatic Isolation: Reflecting on Türkiye’s 1949 decision to refrain from participating in the Asia-Africa conference due to its European affiliations, Bağcı urged that Türkiye should not repeat such a stance. He stressed the importance of Türkiye’s strategic pivot toward regions like Asia and Africa, particularly with its current exclusion from the EU, to avoid missed diplomatic and economic opportunities that could benefit Türkiye’s future.
Türkiye's Critical Position in the One Belt, One Road Initiative: Prof. Bağcı underscored Türkiye’s strategic role within China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, emphasizing its function as a geopolitical pivot or “Menteşe.” Türkiye’s involvement is not merely economic but also a cultural and infrastructural partnership, which aligns it with the global south’s development agenda. This connection helps Türkiye solidify its influence across Asia, Africa, and Latin America through robust infrastructure and trade networks.
China’s Expanding Influence and the New Geopolitical Landscape: Bağcı provided an analysis of China's role as the primary engine behind the OBOR project and its rapid growth in global influence, especially across the global south. He observed that China’s investments and diplomatic neutrality position it as an alternative power to the U.S. for many developing nations, though he noted that China still has some way to go in becoming a full replacement for Western alliances in Türkiye’s perspective.
The Complex Relationship Between China and Russia within BRICS: Bağcı noted the complementary yet competitive nature of the China-Russia partnership. While Russia remains a central power politically and militarily, especially in Central Asia, China’s unmatched economic growth positions it as a potential leader within BRICS. Bağcı argued that this dynamic allows both nations to maintain significant, but distinct, spheres of influence within the coalition, especially regarding resource and infrastructure development.
BRICS as a Strategic Economic Counterbalance to the West: Prof. Bağcı emphasized BRICS' evolving role as an international coalition with substantial economic power, collectively accounting for 45% of the world’s population and 25% of global GDP. While BRICS is not a union in the mold of the European Union, its unity around economic interests creates a formidable counterbalance to Western financial institutions and the dollar's dominance, challenging the West’s economic and political influence globally.
Future Implications for Türkiye’s Economic and Political Strategy: Bağcı closed by suggesting that Türkiye’s engagement with BRICS could open new economic and diplomatic pathways, especially in energy partnerships with Russia and China. He also foresees Türkiye gaining increased access to developing markets in Africa and Asia, leveraging BRICS as a strategic platform to boost its global standing outside the Western sphere.
Conclusion: Türkiye’s Involvement in Global Initiatives is not just a Geopolitical Maneuver but a Necessity for Securing its Economic and Political Future
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı's insights into Türkiye’s potential role within the BRICS framework reveal a transformative opportunity for the country to recalibrate its geopolitical and economic strategies. As the world moves away from traditional Cold War alliances, Türkiye finds itself at a crossroads, particularly with its exclusion from the European Union. By pursuing BRICS membership, Türkiye can access a dynamic and rapidly growing economic platform, providing new avenues for trade, investment, and diplomatic relations—especially with global south nations that are eager for diversification in their international partnerships. Bağcı emphasized that, unlike historical periods when Türkiye's alignment with Europe limited its diplomatic options, today’s multipolar world offers Türkiye a chance to play a central role in shaping the economic future of regions that are becoming increasingly significant on the global stage.
Additionally, the evolving partnership between China and Russia within BRICS positions Türkiye as a critical player in navigating the balance of power between these two giants. As China leads with its economic growth, Türkiye’s strategic location offers a unique opportunity for deeper collaboration, particularly in energy sectors and infrastructure projects. At the same time, Türkiye's engagement with BRICS could allow it to counterbalance the growing influence of Western financial institutions, offering a new direction for Turkish foreign policy that moves beyond its traditional reliance on the U.S. and EU. Prof. Bağcı’s remarks illustrate that Türkiye’s potential integration into BRICS, alongside its involvement in global initiatives like OBOR, is not just a geopolitical maneuver but a necessity for securing its economic and political future. This strategic shift could enable Türkiye to play a more prominent role in the world economy, enhance its political leverage, and gain access to new markets, ultimately contributing to its long-term growth and stability in an increasingly multipolar world.
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